Content from today’s episode is from the Megacon Online Conference 2020. You can get the entire set of recordings from this conference here.
Today, you’ll hear a small portion of Patrick Snow’s presentation as he discusses the importance of active learning methods that we can use in preteen ministry. He’ll discuss why preteen ministry should be “more lab and less lecture” and give some practical ways to accomplish this in your Intentional Preteen Ministry.
Have a question about preteen ministry or a unique preteen ministry idea that we can feature on our podcast? Send it to podcast@fourfivesix.org.
Content from today’s episode is from the Megacon Online Conference 2020. You can get the entire set of recordings from this conference here.
Today on the podcast, you’ll hear a small portion of a presentation from James Powell, preteen director at the Brooklyn Tabernacle, NY and Paula Mazza, children and preteen director at Solana Beach Pres, CA. In this snippet, they discuss several of the reasons why preteens are vulnerable, and a Scripture that calls us to stay alert to the dangers that lurk for those whom we are called to help protect.
Have a question about preteen ministry or a unique preteen ministry idea that we can feature on our podcast? Send it to podcast@fourfivesix.org.
Content from today’s episode is from the Megacon Online Conference 2020. You can get the entire set of recordings from this conference here.
Today on the podcast, you’ll hear a small portion of Dannah Gresh’s talk at the Preteen HQ at Megacon 2020. Dannah and her husband run Pure Freedom Ministries. Listen as Dannah talks about the trouble with screens, and how God has given us a “healing balm” for anxiety in his word.
Have a question about preteen ministry or a unique preteen ministry idea that we can feature on our podcast? Send it to podcast@fourfivesix.org.
Some content from today’s episode is from the Megacon Online Conference 2020. You can get the entire set of recordings from this conference here.
Today on the podcast, Sean continues the train of thought that he started in the last podcast episode, regarding power, control and authority. In the last podcast, we looked at how we, as leaders can differentiate between these things. In today’s podcast, Sean discusses the importance of acknowledging and sharing power, control and authority with preteens in your Intentional Preteen Ministry.
Have a question about preteen ministry or a unique preteen ministry idea that we can feature on our podcast? Send it to podcast@fourfivesix.org.
If you like what you’re hearing, subscribe to the FourFiveSix podcast by clicking here and you’ll get great ideas for your preteen ministry four, five, or six times a week.
Today on the podcast, Sean talks about something he’s been learning during 2020.
With the governors of states closing churches and, in California, singing being banned from all church gatherings, many people, including Sean, have struggled with understanding how to and when to submit to authority.
In this podcast, Sean shares different Scriptures that have guided his thinking about this topic, and he shares about how understanding “spheres of authority” has helped him to reconcile verses that say, “We should obey God and not man,” and verses that talk about “submitting to authority.”
Have a question about preteen ministry or a unique preteen ministry idea that we can feature on our podcast? Send it to podcast@fourfivesix.org.
If you like what you’re hearing, subscribe to the FourFiveSix podcast by clicking here and you’ll get great ideas for your preteen ministry four, five, or six times a week.
Today on the podcast, Sean talks with Rob Quinn, a preteen ministry director in Saginaw, Michigan about lessons he learned about preteen ministry and ministry leadership in 2020 during COVID-19 and Shelter In Place orders.
Rob and Sean discusses the difficulties of this season and how his church has redefined the role of ministry to be a support for families who are navigating this season. Rob discusses the issues around trying to equip parents by “throwing darts at a dartboard” instead of being more intentional in providing help that parents really need, and some of the key lessons that his team has learned in this season.
Have a question about preteen ministry or a unique preteen ministry idea that we can feature on our podcast? Send it to podcast@fourfivesix.org.
If you like what you’re hearing, subscribe to the FourFiveSix podcast by clicking here and you’ll get great ideas for your preteen ministry four, five, or six times a week.
Today on the podcast, Sean talks with Heidi Winters from Eastridge Church in Oregon.
While many have talked about preteens “checking out” on ZOOM meetings lately, Heidi has been using a technique which has engaged preteens during this time in a unique way. By placing elements of the ZOOM services in the preteens’ hands to lead, she has discovered a way to engage them.
Have a question about preteen ministry or a unique preteen ministry idea that we can feature on our podcast? Send it to podcast@fourfivesix.org.
If you like what you’re hearing, subscribe to the FourFiveSix podcast by clicking here and you’ll get great ideas for your preteen ministry four, five, or six times a week.
Today on the podcast, Sean talks with James Powell from the Brooklyn Tabernacle in New York about lessons he learned about preteen ministry and ministry leadership in 2020 during COVID-19 and Shelter In Place orders.
James’ church has been touched profoundly by the effects of COVID as they are located in the heart of NYC. On the podcast, he discusses how the unique challenges of this year has helped to adjust his entire view of ministry.
Have a question about preteen ministry or a unique preteen ministry idea that we can feature on our podcast? Send it to podcast@fourfivesix.org.
Today on the podcast, Sean speaks about the idea of keeping your preteen leadership involved in your ministry while churches are unable to meet in person.
Due to Covid-19 we are unable to meet in person and have moved to an online format of meeting. By continuing to engage and finding meaningful ways for the preteens to serve, we are able to continue our leadership program online. Part of preteen ministry, be it in person or online, is keeping preteens engaged in the process of discovering how God has wired them up to serve the church.
Continuing to meet with them during this time is as simple as a Zoom call. Engaging those preteen leaders has been done through a few different ways. One way is the preteens are preparing and leading games for our service on Sundays. Another idea is having preteens do an opening prayer at the beginning of the service, or helping with announcements, as well as having a 6th grader lead worship. It has been great to see that even though the context has changed, the concept of the leadership program has not changed. There are so many ways that the preteens can still be engaged in leadership roles even during the worldwide shutdown.
Have a question about preteen ministry or a unique preteen ministry idea that we can feature on our podcast? Send it to podcast@fourfivesix.org. Looking for a great community of preteen leaders that you can plug into? Join us at http://fourfivesix.org/.
Today on the podcast, Sean speaks with Pastor Preston Plentl from The House of Modesto about collaborating online with other churches.
Sean and Preston talk about how their relationship started before the unprecedented state our country fell into. Preston had just launched his preteen ministry and decided to film the Deeply Rooted Curriculum lessons to send out to his students. Sean saw this video and reached out to Preston about the idea of using Zoom and teaching the lessons to multiple churches.
Over the last 8 weeks Sean and his team along with Preston as the speaker have hosted 2 weekly services for churches all over the world. Working together they have been able to create an amazing program allowing churches to continue to reach out to their preteens during this worldwide shutdown. Two amazing things that have come out of this situation is the ability to collaborate with other churches online and doing Zoom services opposed to just videos. Preston does his videos still for his preteens giving them that avenue to either go at their own pace and watch the video or have the interactive experience through the Zoom service.
The FourFiveSix Deeply Rooted Online Services on Thursdays at 4pm PST and 6pm PST are available for other churches to join by clicking here and filling out the form.
Have a question about preteen ministry or a unique preteen ministry idea that we can feature on our podcast? Send it to podcast@fourfivesix.org. Looking for a great community of preteen leaders that you can plug into? Join us at http://fourfivesix.org/.
Today on the podcast, Sean speaks with Pastor Chris Santos about Family Game Night: Quarantine Edition event.
This was a very easy event to put together, and an event that can be done repeatedly.
Using Zoom and the Kahoot App, Sean and Chris facilitated the night which included 3 games for the families. Families earned additional points right off the bat if they came to the meeting matching somehow. For the first game they used the trivia game from DYM, only using 10 of the 20 questions. This was played with the whole group together.
After playing the DYM trivia game the families were split into groups, and then sent to a breakout room with a category assigned to them and for a minute and a half they determined based on that category what was in common between the families. A new category was sent to them every minute and a half (restaurants you frequent, movies your family enjoys, places you traveled outside the state).
The final game, everyone came back together, and they played majority rules. For this game Sean would give a category and everyone would message Sean with their families answer. Whatever answer was the most popular those groups would earn points. As a prize for the family with the most points at the end, the ministry sent them a pizza party.
Have a question about preteen ministry or a unique preteen ministry idea that we can feature on our podcast? Send it to podcast@fourfivesix.org. Looking for a great community of preteen leaders that you can plug into? Join us at http://fourfivesix.org/.
Today on the podcast, Sean speaks with Luke Clifton, a Children’s Minister out of Martinsville Virginia about an event, “Nailed It”.
The idea for the “Nailed It” event came from the show. After inviting families to participate and determine what baked goods they wanted to make, it got rid of the issue of allergies, as well as getting the supplies to the families. Since the families decided what they would create they already had or were able to get the needed supplies.
The basic idea of the event is that the families pick a cake and then they attempt to re-create it. Once the preteens have decided what they will attempt they send a picture of it to the pastor. The preteens during the event take turns showing what the original creation looked like and then revealing their attempt. Luke did not do this as a competition, but it is something that definitely could been done as one.
Have a question about preteen ministry or a unique preteen ministry idea that we can feature on our podcast? Send it to podcast@fourfivesix.org. Looking for a great community of preteen leaders that you can plug into? Join us at http://fourfivesix.org/.
Today on the podcast, Sean talks with Deandra Ziegler about small group nights.
Deandra discusses the small groups nights they do 4 x’s a year at their church. “All Small Groups” occurs on either a Wednesday or Sunday for the entire hour of that service time. Each small group leader plans their groups event (bible study, combining with another group to do a game, or whatever the leader comes up with) and after attendance is taken they leave to go do their small group get together. Deandra explains how holding these events, especially at the beginning of the year, allows for a great foundation to be built in the small groups.
Sean asked how leaders know what to do, especially a new leader coming into the ministry. Deandra explains that they send out newsletters to their volunteers. A couple weeks before the event they send out information with the philosophy behind the event, some ideas of things that have been done, some game ideas. This is all done on campus due to security reasons they are not allowed off campus. If you have questions about Deandra’s “All Small Group” night you can click here.
Have a question about preteen ministry or a unique preteen ministry idea that we can feature on our podcast? Send it to podcast@fourfivesix.org. Looking for a great community of preteen leaders that you can plug into? Join us at http://fourfivesix.org/.
Today on the podcast, Sean talks with Zach Matchett about effectively communicating the gospel with preteens.
Effectively communicating the gospel to preteens includes giving more opportunities to work it in to the teaching. How do you make the gospel in a digestible way for preteens to truly understand all the what questions that might come up for them? Zach suggests repetition, specifically in phrases he uses in his teachings. For example, “Jesus lived the life that we couldn’t live” and on the flip side “Jesus died the death we deserved.” Secondly, utilizing tactile illustrations for them to understand, like the gospel blocks from Superstart. These blocks are easy for them to grasp the concept and makes it even easier for them to turn around and present the message to a friend. If you have questions about what you heard from Zach or would like to get in touch with him you can email him at zach.matchett@northviewchurch.us or click here.
Have a question about preteen ministry or a unique preteen ministry idea that we can feature on our podcast? Send it to podcast@fourfivesix.org. Looking for a great community of preteen leaders that you can plug into? Join us at http://fourfivesix.org/.
Today on the podcast, Sean talks about taking joy in our work.
Philippians 4:4 says “Rejoice in the Lord always, I will say it again rejoice.” This sounds like a command from God, that we find joy in our work. Jesus even found joy as he was headed to the cross. Finding joy in our work is God’s will for us. Sean encourages you, that even if there are difficult things happening in life or at work, that you are able to find joy in everything. Sean suggests taking a moment to write down 10 things that you can rejoice about right now. Take joy in the ministry that God has gifted you with.
Have a question about preteen ministry or a unique preteen ministry idea that we can feature on our podcast? Send it to podcast@fourfivesix.org. Looking for a great community of preteen leaders that you can plug into? Join us at http://fourfivesix.org/.
Today on the podcast, Sean speaks about the strategy of talking about what is whispered.
Picture a Peanuts cartoon, the characters are talking during class, but in the background you hear the teacher talking and being ignored. We don’t want God’s word to ever be ignored. We are not wanting the whispers becoming the main focus for our preteens. Taking what they are talking about and incorporating it into the lesson can help to make sense of the whispers and bring the focus back to God. God’s word has something to say about what our preteens are whispering about. Sean suggests helping them to tie their whispers to the knowledge found in God’s word.
Have a question about preteen ministry or a unique preteen ministry idea that we can feature on our podcast? Send it to podcast@fourfivesix.org. Looking for a great community of preteen leaders that you can plug into? Join us at http://fourfivesix.org/.
Today on the podcast, Sean talks with Zach Matchett about preteens and application of your message.
Zach discusses the ways he has helped preteens make application of a message they hear, helping them to figure out how that message will affect them going forward. By setting aside time for preteens to talk back to a leader about what they heard, allows them time to process the information. This allows them the ability to apply it and put it into practice during the week.
If preteens don’t realize that their faith needs to move beyond the four walls of the ministry space, that following Jesus is an everyday decision, they aren’t going to grow. They will move through life and they will not be able to do this as an adult.
Have a question about preteen ministry or a unique preteen ministry idea that we can feature on our podcast? Send it to podcast@fourfivesix.org. Looking for a great community of preteen leaders that you can plug into? Join us at http://fourfivesix.org/.
Today on the podcast, Sean speaks with Ryan Frank regarding MegaCon and the Preteen HQ.
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Ryan, the leader of KidMin, speaks about his heart behind the Preteen HQ that was added to MegaCon at the 2019 conference. Have you ever wondered what conference to attend as a preteen ministry leader? Children’s conferences just don’t seem to have the necessary resources you are looking for. Maybe think about attending next year’s MegaCon 2020 which will occur October 6-8. This is a conference you don’t want to miss.
Last year, KidMin introduced the Preteen HQ which focused on preteen ministries. With the help of FourFiveSix they put together a preteen focused conference inside of the children’s conference. The resources offered in this area are geared toward your preteen ministry.
If you are interested in the Onference click here. If you want more information regarding MegaCon 2020 and the Preteen HQ click here.
Have a question about preteen ministry or a unique preteen ministry idea that we can feature on our podcast? Send it to podcast@fourfivesix.org. Looking for a great community of preteen leaders that you can plug into? Join us at http://fourfivesix.org/.
Today on the podcast, Sean continues his talk with Paula Mazza about what to do about mental health in our preteen ministries.
Paula discusses some things that can be done now if you suspect some mental health issues in your preteen ministry. One of the easiest things we can do is to talk about it. Helping preteens to know ways to express how they are feeling can help them to get their feelings out. We are great at making kids feel physically safe in our ministries but often times we don’t think about making them feel emotionally, spiritually and socially safe.
There are so many simple things that will emotionally make a preteen feel more comfortable in your ministry. Here are just a few ways Paula suggests.
Have a question about preteen ministry or a unique preteen ministry idea that we can feature on our podcast? Send it to podcast@fourfivesix.org. Looking for a great community of preteen leaders that you can plug into? Join us at http://fourfivesix.org/.
Today on the podcast, Sean talks to Paula Mazza about mental health in your preteen ministry.
1 in 6 people in our world are between the ages of 10-19. When it comes to mental health half of all mental illness will start showing symptoms before the age of 15. The average delay in diagnosis is 10 years, which in terms of preteens is the formidable years of their lives. Beginning in 2007 and reporting through 2017, according to the CDC’s report in October 2019, suicide rates in adolescents has tripled.
Have a question about preteen ministry or a unique preteen ministry idea that we can feature on our podcast? Send it to podcast@fourfivesix.org. Looking for a great community of preteen leaders that you can plug into? Join us at http://fourfivesix.org/.
Today on the podcast, Sean speaks with Michayla White, Executive Director of INCM, about eliminating unnecessary expectations.
There are expectations that we put on ourselves that God does not put on us. The expectations that we put on ourselves will never be as nice or merciful as those that come from the Father. Take a time and step back and seek what the Lord expects of you. Spend some time in Matthew 11 and spend time with God in his presence and allow him to speak to you.
Have a question about preteen ministry or a unique preteen ministry idea that we can feature on our podcast? Send it to podcast@fourfivesix.org. Looking for a great community of preteen leaders that you can plug into? Join us at http://fourfivesix.org/.
Today on the podcast, Sean shares an excerpt of the recent Peer Group meeting about challenging the preteens in your ministry.
If we challenge the preteens in our ministry and allow them to do more they will shock us with what they are able to do. Giving preteens the opportunity to be leaders in your ministry can allow them to rise above what expectations we might have for preteens. Don’t limit your preteens because they have more to give than you might realize.
Have a question about preteen ministry or a unique preteen ministry idea that we can feature on our podcast? Send it to podcast@fourfivesix.org. Looking for a great community of preteen leaders that you can plug into? Join us at http://fourfivesix.org/.
Today on the podcast, Sean speaks with Zach Matchett about first impressions and last impressions and where to put your focus.
A person will determine their impression of a place in the first 6-8 minutes of walking into your space. Making sure that you have great guest services when they first walk in can have a big factor of whether or not that visit might return.
Zach’s team really focused on making sure they were meeting the needs of the visitors during that first impression but thought about what they were missing out as the preteen was leaving. They began brainstorming about ways that they can make that last impression a positive one. The first plan that they are trying is by having their guest services team remain through the service. On the check in form there is one question that asks a preteen their favorite drink or candy. The team will then get that item for the preteen and give it to the small group leader to give to the student on their way out. Providing intentional individualized care to the preteens is their ultimate focus to make sure that not only coming but also leaving the preteen feels welcome and encouraged to return to the group. Listen to the podcast as Zach shares a second idea his team will be putting into play for 2020.
Have a question about preteen ministry or a unique preteen ministry idea that we can feature on our podcast? Send it to podcast@fourfivesix.org. Looking for a great community of preteen leaders that you can plug into? Join us at http://fourfivesix.org/.
Today on the podcast, Sean speaks with Pastor Chris and Jaime Santos about giving preteens a chance to choose elements that occur in our preteen ministry.
The idea of This or That came about during one of Elevate’s weekly leadership meetings. They were looking for a way to get the preteens more engaged in announcements. Allowing preteens more involvement in the announcements to ensure they are retaining the information given to them.
This or That gives the preteens a choice about something brought up during the announcements. For example, the Christmas party included hot chocolate and the preteens were given the choice between candy canes or marshmallows in their hot chocolate. By giving the preteens a chance to be involved in the planning of one of the elements brought up during announcements will make them more engaged in the element itself.
Have a question about preteen ministry or a unique preteen ministry idea that we can feature on our podcast? Send it to podcast@fourfivesix.org. Looking for a great community of preteen leaders that you can plug into? Join us at http://fourfivesix.org/.